We’re excited to wrap up the creative Creative Labs Valorant Contest that we hosted using our VOLTA PC Custom PC. This event was a huge success for us. Despite some minor hiccups, the Valorant community in Singapore gathered and connected during our event. We enjoyed meeting new people and making connections with fellow gamers. The gaming community is full of passionate and talented individuals who share a love for the same games.
At Volta PC, we value the need for a stable and reliable PC for high-end gaming. We’re eager to share more details about the custom PC setup used in the Valorant Contest, including the challenges we overcame. Meeting new people was an incredible experience, and we’re proud to be part of the essential and valuable gaming community.
Structure of the Creative Labs Valorant Contest
A total of 48 teams, 240 players
We’re grateful to all 240 players who participated in our Valorant Contest. The turnout exceeded our expectations, and we appreciate the time and effort each player put into the contest. The Valorant gaming community in Singapore has shown incredible passion and talent, and we’re honored to be a part of it. It’s inspiring to see players showcase their skills and connect with others who share their love for gaming.
The Contest Structure
The structure of the contest included an online knockout round, followed by LAN semi-finals and finals held at the VOLTA PC Experience Centre in Singapore. It was a joy to see gamers connect with each other, showcase their skills, and compete in a supportive environment. We’re proud to have provided a platform for players to enjoy gaming, create friendships, and build a sense of community.
The offline knockout round was held on January 14th, with the top eight teams proceeding to the LAN semi-finals and finals held on January 15th at the VOLTA PC Experience Centre. The offline event allowed players to compete in a high-end custom PC setting, showcasing their skills and giving them an opportunity to connect with other gamers.
SG$3000 Prize Pool!
The top three teams were awarded prizes that included Creative Technology products, which further enhanced their gaming experiences.
- The first-place team received $500 cash and five Creative SXFI Air Gamer headsets.
- The second-place team received a $300 voucher and five Creative Sound BlasterX H6 headsets.
- The third-place team received a $200 voucher and five Creative Live! Cam Sync V3 cameras.
Our Ultimate Custom PC Setup Used for the Creative Labs Valorant Contest
VOLTA PC Custom PC
Compared to the recommended specs for Valorant, our custom PC was a powerhouse of performance. The NVIDIA 3080ti, 3070ti, and 3060ti graphics cards alone were a significant upgrade from the recommended NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 or Radeon R7 240.
The 12900k CPU provided fast and efficient processing, far exceeding the recommended Intel Core i3-4150 or Ryzen 3 1200. Additionally, our custom PC had significantly more memory (16GB – 32GB) than the recommended 4 GB.
In addition, Valorant has a file size of 23 GB, which is relatively small compared to some other games. Therefore, our custom PC is easily able to handle it with fast loading time.
Moreover, the use of high-quality cooling solutions in our custom PC prevented any performance issues caused by overheating. This allowed players to focus on the game without worrying about any performance issues.
Overall, our custom PC far exceeded the recommended specs for Valorant and provided exceptional performance during the Valorant Contest. With the latest hardware, efficient cooling, and high-quality peripherals, our custom PC provided an unparalleled gaming experience for all participants.
If you’re interested in checking out our ultimate custom PC that was used for the Valorant Contest, you can find it HERE.
Peripherals
We carefully selected the Logitech gaming keyboards and mice used for the event due to their excellent feedback and responsiveness, making them an ideal choice for competitive gaming. With tactile switches and precise sensors, players can make quick and precise movements and react quickly to in-game events. These peripherals were crucial to the success of the event, providing players with the tools they needed to perform at their best.
In addition to the keyboards and mice, we also utilized 24-inch FHD monitors that provided sharp and vibrant visuals. These monitors were essential for ensuring that players could see all the details of the game, allowing them to react quickly to their opponents’ movements. Moreover, the monitors were equipped with low latency technology, reducing lag and ensuring a smooth and responsive experience. Nevertheless, the combination of high-quality peripherals and monitors helped to create an immersive and competitive gaming environment that allowed players to showcase their skills.
Additionally, all of the gaming peripherals and equipment used during the event are available for sale on our website.
- LOGITECH G203 LIGHTSYNC RGB WIRED MOUSE BLACK (2Y)$59.00 w/GST
- Logitech G413 Mechanical Backlit Gaming Keyboard$129.00 w/GST
- Product on saleSamsung Odyssey G3 – 32″ Gaming Monitor with 165hz refresh rateOriginal price was: $728.00.$668.00Current price is: $668.00. w/GST
Optimizing Our Custom PC for Maximum Performance
Prior to the offline contest, we conducted a thorough optimization process to ensure that our custom PCs were performing at their best.
1. RAM test
Above all, one critical step was running a RAM test to check for any memory issues that could affect performance. Running a RAM test involved using software to check for any memory issues that could affect performance. We tested each RAM stick individually and as a pair to ensure that they were functioning correctly.
This process ensured stability and reliability during gaming by preventing crashes, freezes, and other issues caused by faulty memory. Hence, by identifying any issues beforehand, we could address them and ensure that all custom PCs were optimized for the demands of high-end gaming.
Overall, running a RAM test was a crucial step in our optimization process. Undoubtedly, it helped to ensure that the custom PC were stable, reliable, and ready for the intense demands of the Creative Labs Valorant Contest.
2. Enabled XMP
Another essential step was enabling XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile). This involved configuring the memory settings in the BIOS to improve memory performance. This allowed for faster data transfer and enhanced overall PC performance during gaming.
In addition, XMP sets the memory timings and frequency to their optimal values, ensuring that the RAM is operating at its maximum potential. This improved memory performance helps to reduce latency and boost overall system performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and reduced lag.
If you want to enable XMP on your custom gaming PC at home, be sure to check out this article What is XMP and how enable XMP for step-by-step instructions.
3. Optimized the airflow and re-applied thermal paste
Adequate cooling is essential for a gaming PC, as overheating can cause performance issues and damage components. We optimized the airflow in our custom PCs by ensuring that fans were properly positioned and running at optimal speeds.
We also re-applied thermal paste to the CPU and GPU to ensure efficient heat dissipation. This helps to prevent thermal throttling and ensures that the components are running at their maximum potential.
By ensuring adequate cooling, we were able to optimize the performance of our custom PCs and prevent any issues caused by overheating. This resulted in a smoother gaming experience and allowed for stable and reliable performance during the intense demands of the Creative Labs Valorant Contest.
For more information on how to optimize airflow in your custom PC and apply thermal paste, be sure to read the article Maximizing Airflow in Gaming PC: A Guide to Fan Placement & Configuration and How to apply thermal paste on a CPU.
4. Checking core voltages and RAM CLS timings
Checking core voltages and RAM CLS timings involves ensuring that your components are receiving the correct amount of power and that your RAM is operating at its optimal level. This helps to prevent any issues caused by voltage instability and optimize system performance.
In this situation, core voltages are the amount of power supplied to the CPU, GPU, and other components. Checking core voltages helps to ensure that the components are receiving the correct amount of power and operating at their maximum potential.
RAM CLS timings are the settings that control the speed and performance of your RAM. By optimizing RAM CLS timings, you can ensure that your RAM is operating at its optimal level and providing the best possible performance.
5. Undervolting the K Series processors
The Minor Hiccups
FPS limitations on one of the PCs
During the Creative Labs Valorant Contest, we encountered FPS limitations on one of the custom PCs. Upon investigation, we discovered that the previous contestant had accidentally set the FHD monitor to display at 4K resolution. We promptly adjusted the monitor settings to ensure that it was displaying at its native FHD resolution.
Fortunately, after addressing the FPS limitation issue, all custom PCs were running at their full potential during the contest. This ensured that all players had a fair and optimal gaming experience. Additionally, we took this issue as a learning experience and made sure to double-check all the monitor settings for each PC to prevent similar issues from occurring in future events.
Some headsets not working correctly
During the Valorant Contest, we faced another issue with the headsets not working correctly. Our team identified the problem and resolved it by checking the connections between the headsets and the audio ports. We also ensured that the audio drivers were up to date and that the correct settings were enabled in the operating system. By addressing the issue promptly, we were able to provide all players with functioning headsets, allowing for clear communication during gameplay.
To improve the overall audio quality, we decided to utilize the NVIDIA broadcast software. This software helps eliminate any background noise during gameplay, allowing for clear communication between players. The use of this software is an excellent way to take advantage of a gaming PC’s powerful GPU capabilities.
Contest Results
The winners
The exciting event came to a close with NDG emerging as the champions, taking home the top prize of $500 cash and five Creative SXFI Air Gamer headsets. Deviant Academy came in second place, winning a $300 voucher and five Creative Sound BlasterX H6 headsets. Finally, Illusive secured third place, receiving a $200 voucher and five Creative Live! Cam Sync V3 webcams. We want to congratulate all the winners and thank all the participants for making the event a great success.
Contest Photos and Gameplay
We want to extend our sincerest thanks to all the contestants who participated in the Creative Labs Valorant Contest. It was an honor to witness such intense competition and to meet so many passionate gamers. We hope that you enjoyed the event as much as we did, and that you continue to pursue your gaming dreams.
We’ve compiled some photos and highlight gameplay footage from the contest, which you can view at https://voltapc.sg/creative-contest-photos/
Once again, thank you for your participation and for helping to make the contest a success. We look forward to seeing you again in future events.